Convertible appearance traveling case

ABSTRACT

A convertible appearance traveling case including a transparent outer plastic casing, both lid and body, with interfitting inner containers adapted to be snapped within the lid and body shells and having interchangeable sheaths therebetween.

United States Patent 2,429,962 10/1947 Reilly Beniamin E. Toller 109 Roberts Road, Brookhaven, Pa. 19015 12,055

Feb. 17, 1970 Nov. 30, 1971 Inventor Appl. No Filed Patented CONVERTIBLE APPEARANCE TRAVELING CASE 6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 190/41 C, 150/28 A, 190/53, 190/57, 220/63 R InLCl A45c 3/00, A45C 3/08 Field of Search l/4l R. 53, 22, 35, 29, 45, 51, 57. 58;150/28 A, .5;

220/63, 94, 31 S, 63 R, 28.83',215/95, A;

206/37 R, 72, 75, DIG. 35

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,779,373 l/l957 Koepke /28 A 2,677,947 5/1954 Van Guilder. 220/94 3,343,578 9/1967 Rubin 150/52 L 3,575,226 4/1971 Chapman 150/28 A 2,362,120 11/1944 De Swartm 206/37 3,579,883 5/1971 Hayes 220/31 S 2,094,257 9/1937 Luck et a1 220/63 FOREIGN PATENTS 470.733 4/1952 ltaly 215/100 A Primary E.\'aminer Leonard Summer Assistant E.ramin0rStephen Marcus Armrney Stanely Bilker ABSTRACT: A convertible appearance traveling case including a transparent outer plastic casing, both lid and body, with interfitting inner containers adapted to be snapped within the lid and body shells and having interchangeable sheaths therebetween.

PATENTEBunv 301971 SHEET 1 [IF 2 nvvewron v, IE/VJAMIN 5. TOLLER av 52 M ATTORNEY PATENTEDunv 30 Ian SHEET 2 BF 2 INVENTOR BENJAMIN E. TOLLEI? CONVERTIBLE APPEARANCE TRAVELING CASE This invention relates to luggage, and more particularly relates to a molded suitcase or travelling case whose external appearance and design may be changed and converted at the desire of the user.

In recent years, it has increasingly become the mode and practice to have individual items of wearing apparel serve two or more functions by their ability to be converted into design configurations. This trend has been especially evident in the high fashion ofmiladys ensemble which permits her to change her dress through the use of reversible garments and convertible accessories. The present invention concerns the field of luggage and the ability to alter the color, design and general outward appearance thereof whereby travelling cases may be mixed or matched with wearing apparel or adapted to the geography of an area or varied to suit the season.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a molded luggage construction whose external appearance may be ornamentally changed in color, design and/or material composition to match or conform with the dress of the traveler, with the season of the year, or with the geographical attributes of the area travelled.

Another object of this invention is to provide a luggage construction of convertible appearance which may be formed from plastic and easily obtained fabric materials and capable of being assembled by inexpensive mass production means.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a convertible appearance luggage construction having a transparent outer shell within which ornamental inserts of varying colors, designs and fabrics may readily be snapped into place while being clearly visible.

Yet still another object of this invention is to provide a convertible travelling case construction which may also be utilized as a transparent container, if desired.

Other objects of this invention are to provide an improved device of the character described which is easily and economically produced, which is sturdy in construction, and both highly efficient and effective in operation.

With the above and related objects in view, this invention consists of the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a convertible appearance travelling case embodying this invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the components of this inventron.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a carrying support band embodied in this invention.

Referring now in greater detail to the drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, I show a convertible appearance luggage construction comprising a transparent body portion, generally designated as A, a transparent outer shell lid portion, generally designated as B, an inner casing A1 with interchangeable flexible sheaths A2 adapted to be snapped within the body shell A, an inner tray BI with interchangeable covers B2 adapted to be snapped within the lid shell B, and a handle frame assembly C.

The transparent shell body portion A and the transparent shell lid portion B are integrally molded or vacuum-formed members made of a suitable clear plastic composition, such as methyl methacrylate resin, high-density polyethylene or polypropylene, vinyl or polycarbonate resins, or the like, the primary criteria being weather and scuff resistance, transparency and resistance to attach by extremes of temperature and solvents, and flexibility and ability to withstand cracking or crazing. The body shell A is a flexible transparent container, approximately one-sixteenth inch to one-eighth inch in thickness, and includes sidewalls l2 and a bottom 14. An internal bead or flange I6 is peripherally formed about the interior of the sidewalls 12 immediately below the open edges thereof. The exterior of the body shell A has a molded boss 18 completely formed thereabout at the geometric centerline of the case to act as a support for the frame assembly C. The upper edge of the sidewalls 12 are recessed at 20 to receive the lid shell B.

The lid shell B is complementary with the body shell A in all respects and includes a shallow top 22 with depending walls 24 adapted to interfit with the upper edge 20 of the body sidewalls 12. A ledge 26 projects inwardly from the interior of each of the walls 24 to define a shelf for supporting the inner tray Bl. Suitable hinges 28 pivotally connect the lid shell B to the body shell A and opposing ribs 30 and 32 on the walls of the respective shells B and A act as feet for resting the case. Hinged latches 34 secured to the lid shell B are adapted to engage complementary keepers 36 at the upper edge of body shell A.

The inner container A1 is an integrally formed box construction preferably molded of a suitable plastic composition. It need not be transparent, but it must be loosely complementary with the interior of the outer body shell within the confines of the bead 16. The sheath A2 is essentially a stocking for the container Al and may be of fabric, leather or plastic. An elastic hem or margin 38 is formed about the open end to facilitate attachment to the inner case. The sheath A2 may be any design or color, such as a diamond embossed fabric stocking 40 illustrated in FIG. 2 or a flower pattern shown in FIG. 1 and identified by the reference numeral 41 or any other color or appearance. When a particular design has been selected, the sheath A2 is slipped over the inner container Al and the two snapped into the outer body shell A below the bead 16. Similarly, the lid tray Bl, which is also preferably an integrally molded member, has a cover B2 matching the sheath A2 slipped into place and snapped into the complementary space defined by the ledge 26 within the shell lid B. Again, the matching sheath A2 and cover B2 may be of any design, color or configuration.

The frame assembly C includes a peripheral band 50 which is channel-shaped in section and adapted to engage about the boss 18. The frame C has a handle 52 which is affixed to a medial portion, the band providing peripheral support and strength for the case wherein the entire piece of luggage may be conveniently carried.

The band 50 is split at its lower end to allow it to be attached about the boss 18. One free end of the band is drawn to a smaller dimension at 54 to allow interfitting with the opposing end. A counterbored hole 56 of rectilinear shape is formed within the drawn end 50 and aperture 58 punched through the other end. The head ofa hexagonal head bolt 60 is mounted within the counterbored hole 56, the stem of the bolt extending through the aperture 58. A cap nut 62 is then threaded over the end of the bolt stem.

As is readily apparent from the foregoing description, the appearance of the luggage may be easily and conveniently changed simply by sliding the desired sheath A2 and cover B2-any color, design, or texture-over the corresponding inner container Al and tray B1 and then snapping the stockinged inner containers within their respective outer shells A and B. The carrying band C allows the case to be easily carried by the handle 52. If desired, the bolt 60 may be passed through an aperture 64 in the outer shell A.

Although this invention has been described in considerable detail, such description is intended as being illustrative rather than limiting, since the invention may be variously embodied, and the scope of the invention is to be determined as claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A convertible appearance travelling case comprising a transparent shell body including a substantially flat end wall and sidewalls peripherally extending therefrom to define a portion with open peripheral edges, and a transparent shell lid including a substantially flat wall portion and lateral walls peripherally extending therefrom to define a section with open peripheral margins, said lid being hinged to said body such that the open edges are adapted to abut the open margins in complement-disposition, a bead formed about the interior of said shell body integrally molded with the sidewalls and adjacently spaced from the open edges thereof, and a ledge formed about the interior of said shell lid integrally molded with the lateral walls and adjacently spaced from the open margins thereof, an open inner container complementary and coextensive with the interior of said shell body within the space defined by said bead, an open inner tray complementary and coextensive with the interior of said shell lie within the space defined by the ledge, interchangeable sheaths adapted for complementary engagement about said inner container and interchangeable covers adapted for complementary engagement about said inner tray, said inner container being snapped within the bead into said shell body with one of said sheaths therebetween, said inner tray being snapped within the ledge into said shell lid with one of said covers matching said selected sheath therebetween.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said shell body, said shell lid, said inner tray, and said inner container are molded plastic members.

3. The invention of claim 2 including a peripheral boss molded about said shell body, a band engirdling said boss, and a handle attached to said band to provide means to carry said travelling case.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said band is channel shaped in cross section.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein a portion of said band telescopes with an opposing portion.

6. The invention of claim 1 including elastic means on said sheaths and on said covers. 

1. A convertible appearance travelling case comprising a transparent shell body including a substantially flat end wall and sidewalls peripherally extending therefrom to define a portion with open peripheral edges, and a transparent shell lid including a substantially flat wall portion and lateral walls peripherally extending therefrom to define a section with open peripheral margins, said lid being hinged to said body such that the open edges are adapted to abut the open margins in complement-disposition, a bead formed about the interior of said shell body integrally molded with the sidewalls and adjacently spaced from the open edges thereof, and a ledge formed about the interior of said shell lid integrally molded with the lateral walls and adjacently spaced from the open margins thereof, an open inner container complementary and coextensive with the interior of said shell body within the space defined by said bead, an open inner tray complementary and coextensive with the interior of said shell lid within the space defined by the ledge, interchangeable sheaths adapted for complementary engagement about said inner container and interchangeable covers adapted for complementary engagement about said inner tray, said inner container being snapped within the bead into said shell body with one of said sheaths therebetween, said inner tray being snapped within the ledge into said shell lid with one of said covers matching said selected sheath therebetween.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said shell body, said shell lid, said inner tray, and said inner container are molded plastic members.
 3. The invention of claim 2 including a peripheral boss molded about said shell body, a band engirdling said boss, and a handle attached to said band to provide means to carry said travelling case.
 4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said band is channel shaped in cross section.
 5. The invention of claim 4 wherein a portion of said band telescopes with an opposing portion.
 6. The invention of claim 1 including elastic means on said sheaths and on said covers. 